LETTER: Reproductive rights are on NJ ballot in November

At a Planned Parenthood 100 anniversary event in New York where she was honored, Hillary Clinton urges the audience to fight the changes to women's health legislation. (May 3)
AP

Betty Cockrum, President and CEO, Planned. Parenthood of Indiana addressed the crowd. Hundreds of Hoosiers are expected to attend Planned Parenthood of Indiana's "Rally to Protect our Patients" at the Indiana Statehouse on the South Lawn on Tuesday, March 8, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Planned Parenthood and reproductive health care have been under attack by members of the Indiana General Assembly this session, U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, who represents Indiana's 6th District. has made it his primary mission to cut all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Tuesday March 8, 2011. Alan Petersime/The Star <b>03/09/2011 - A01 - MAIN - 2ND - THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR</b><br /> <b>06/26/2011 - B05 - MAIN - 1ST - THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR</b><br />Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana, addressed a rally in March at the Statehouse. The rally was held in opposition to a bill to defund Planned Parenthood. The measure passed, but its legal status is in limbo.(Photo: Alan Petersime)

Women got the right to vote in 1920. Griswold v. Connecticut (decriminalizing birth control) was in 1965. It is 2017. The fact that we are still fighting for access to birth control and women's health care in New Jersey is unconscionable.

For the last eight years, the Christie administration has defunded Planned Parenthood at just the time when STDs and breast/cervical cancers are on the rise.

But we can turn this around by supporting and voting for the New Jersey Democratic nominee for governor, Phil Murphy, and other candidates who support women's reproductive and health care rights and services. Candidates such as his running mate, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, who has consistently fought against cutting health care services for women.

It is 2017. We should all stand against regressive policies that hurt the women – and ultimately all the residents – of New Jersey. And we can do it by voting for candidates who support these issues in the New Jersey elections on Nov. 7.

Pamela Barroway

Cherry Hill

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